The Truth About School Violence: Keeping Healthy Schools Safe

(Paperback)

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Description

The past decade has repeatedly shown that student violence does not discriminate against any school regardless of wealth, location, size, or resources. However, educators who include prevention and continuous improvement of organizational health in their day-to-day planning will be rewarded with a cohesive school environment that is free of violence. Jared M. Scherz has written this book to raise educators' awareness of a school's organizational health. Healthy schools continually improve every aspect of the working and learning environment. Whether a school needs major reform or strengthening of already effective systems, readers will find sound strategies, including an assessment of existing and suggested prevention programming. This book will expand perspectives, challenge current beliefs, and provide a framework from which improvements can be made.

Any teacher, parent, or administrator will find this book useful.

Reviews

A book with the courage to look beyond surface causes and quick-fix responses with regard to school violence. Here is a comprehensive view of the health (or lack of health) of the school as an organization, and of the various aspects and dynamics that affect the quality of the school culture and community. Written with great intelligence and compassion, this book will save lives. -- Jane Bluestein Ph.D, consultant, author of Creating Emotionally Safe Schools
[The] work is indeed thought provoking. [The] emphasis on the need to be 'vigilant in creating and maintaining a safe and supportive atmosphere' highlights what educators can impact, given it is within their scope of control. Finally, the section of the book that discusses obstacles to whole school efforts serves as a reality check for those who truly want to enhance the organizational health of their schools. -- Joanne McDaniel, director of the Center for the Prevention of School Violence, adjunct instructor in the Department of Political Science and Publ
At last, an insightful and systematic approach to decreasing the potential for school violence. This book can awaken those who have not looked at the health of the entire organization for finding real solutions for societal problems. As a former high school principal, I hope that schools and school systems heed the advice. -- Dr. Pamela L. Riley, executive director, National Association of Students Against Violence Everywhere (SAVE), Inc
In his latest book, The Truth About Student Violence Jared Scherz provides a framework for educators and parents to examine the organizational health of their schools with the goal of preventing violence rather than reacting to it. Through his presentation of three targets for improvementadaptation, climate, and infrastructureScherz suggests realistic strategies for improvement of specific situations rather than presenting a single solution for all school violence. Regardless of the current level of prevention programming in a school, Scherz' emphasis on the nature of violence should serve to provide the framework for continued improvement in approaches to violence prevention. -- Laxley W. Rodney, Ph.D., principal investigator, the Family and Community Violence Prevention Program; director, the Center for Community Education and D
Addressing his message to educators, administrators, and concerned parents, he urges them to think critically about the working and learning environments of their schools and take a proactive role in improving them. * Reference and Research Book News *
Wow, finally, a systemic approach to preventing violence in our schools. Great place to start. Study this book. Work to understand it and to implement some or all of its thinking. Doing so could well save one or many lives, yours among them. Very thought provoking! -- Bradley Winch, Ph.D., J.D, co-author of Chicken Soup for the Soul: Stories for a Better World

Author Bio

Jared M. Scherz is an experienced consultant, coach, and therapist specializing in building organizational health within school systems. His background in psychology affords him a unique perspective to address the needs of educators.